Compare Alaska: The Great Exploration by Discover Corps vs Alaska Salmon Run Adventure 20 Days ACHA20 by Bindlestiff Tours

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage

Meals: Dinner

Our Alaskan adventure begins in its charming city of Anchorage. Arrive into Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) and meet your local Alaskan guide. We’ll get a brief introduction to the area before settling into our accommodations at a boutique inn in downtown Anchorage. Dine alongside locals at a brewhouse and get to know one another as we gear up for the week ahead.

Day 2: Learn about Alaska's History and Meet a Member of the Beluga Whale Alliance

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today's adventure takes us to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. As Alaska’s largest living cultural center, we’ll get the unique opportunity to explore a village of authentic and traditional structures from Alaska’s many native cultures. We’ll also be treated to a range of performances including native dancing led by a community dance group, or athletes demonstrating World Eskimo-Indian Olympic Games skills. In the afternoon, enjoy a picnic lunch and guided hike into the snow capped mountains of the Chugach State Park. Stop along the way to discuss the stunning geography of the area while learning about Alaska history as you gaze over aerial views of Anchorage.

Before dinner, we’ll get a visit from a member of the Beluga Whale Alliance to discuss the declining Beluga Whale population of nearby Cook Inlet and their effort to sustain the species by volunteer driven data collection. Enjoy dinner with a view overlooking the Cook Inlet, named after Captain James Cook during his search for the Northwest Passage.

This hike is all abilities level and will be based on group pace with 3 different routes to choose between.

Day 3: Ride a Glass-Top Train to Seward & Explore Kenai Fjords National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Rise early for an adventure down the Alaskan coast. Hop aboard the Coastal Classic train and venture from Anchorage to Seward in style. Often ranked as the top ten train rides in North America, you’ll wind along Turnagain Arm, where the steep mountains of the Chugach Range plunge directly to the sea before entering into the backcountry wilderness. Take in the panoramic vistas of Alaska’s beauty under the glass dome ceiling railcars. This 4.5 hour scenic ride will offer plenty of photo opportunities of wildflowers, rivers, and possible wildlife sightings so be sure to keep your camera handy! Arrive into the quaint, fishing town of Seward where you’ll go from train to boat for an afternoon of wildlife and glacier viewing in the remarkable Kenai Fjords National Park. Keep an eye out for whales, porpoises, puffins, sea otters, the stellar sea lion, and more as we cruise through Aialik Bay towards the mighty Holgate Glacier, an actively calving tidewater glacier. We will spend time in front of the glacier to watch for calving, where giant chunks of glacial ice break off and crash into the water. The tour is fully narrated by a National Park Ranger

Day 4: Join the Alaska Sealife Center for a Puffin Experience before a Dog Sled Tour Through the Wilderness

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Wake to the sounds of fishing boats departing for the day and views of towering Mt. Marathon and Mt. Alice outside your window. Today we will head to Alaska’s only marine rescue and research facility, The Alaska Sealife Center. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about how the center is protecting marine wildlife through rescue and rehabilitation. Go behind the scenes with researchers and learn about a range of animals from stellar sea lions, ringed & spotted seals as well as the giant pacific octopus. Join staff in a privately led deep dive into the characteristics and traits of a puffin. Learn first hand why their bright orange beaks change colors during the year and how they’ve earned their nickname, clowns of the sea!

In the afternoon, visit a local homestead kennel for a look into Alaska’s Iditarod dog sledding family, The Seaveys. Get to know their beloved team of huskies, a tether-free environment, and how mushing runs deep within the family line and their way of life. Your adventure begins with a 2-mile dog sled ride. Feel the power, excitement, and energy of these amazing sled dogs as they are harnessed to comfortable wheeled sleds on this hour and a half dog sled tour. Mush through the Seward Alaska wilderness to the base of Resurrection Mountain and along Box Canyon Creek.

Day 5: Head to Homer & Meet with the Alaska Center for Coastal Studies for "Belly Biology"

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, we will hit the road and head to the other side of the Kenai Peninsula stopping along the way in the old gold mining town of Cooper Landing. We’ll arrive in Homer and visit the Wynn Nature Center at the Alaska Center for Coastal Studies, whose mission is to protect the unique marine and coastal ecosystems of Kachemak Bay through science-based environmental education and stewardship. Get to know the 150 acre wildlife corridor with a habitat that includes spruce, black cottonwood, and alder trees and is the epicenter for a range of birds from the Black-capped Chickadee to the Orange-crowned warbler. The preserve is located on top of a bluff 1200 feet above Kachemak Bay. After touring the grounds, head down to the Homer Marina with a trained naturalist guide as you explore marine invertebrate life living on & around the Homer Harbor Docks in an activity called, belly biology.

Day 6: Visit a Local Oyster Farm

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Rise for a delicious breakfast followed by some free time to explore the small shops & cafes on the boardwalk along the Homer Spit. In the afternoon, we will board a boat for yet another engaging ocean experience. This time we will explore Kachemak Bay stopping at a local oyster farm to enjoy a tasting! Learn about ocean research by participating in a plankton tow, viewing them under a microscope and using an underwater remote operating vehicle to explore the ocean bed and all the creatures that call this place home! We’ll stop at the secluded Peterson Bay Field Station & visit Intertidal Creature Touch Tanks. Later in the evening, we’ll come together for a memorable Farewell Dinner to cap off our great Alaskan adventure!

Day 7: Explore the Homer Spit before Returning Home or Continuing to Denali

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy a relaxing final morning in Homer. Head into town for souvenir shopping or beach combing along the oceanfront. In the afternoon, we’ll drive back to Anchorage for evening flights out. Those who opt for the Denali Extension will bid the rest of the group farewell and take a domestic flight from Homer to Anchorage then onwards to Denali National Park.

Day 1: Anchorage

Arrive for Group Meeting and Dinner. Start off your vacation flying into stunning scenery overlooking the Chugach, Alaskan, Kenai, and Talkeetna mountain ranges. Although Mt. Denali is only visible 20% of the year, there’s a chance you could even catch a glimpse. Anchorage is Alaska’s most populated area yet it’s shared with the likes of bears, moose, and wolves. After your flight into this urban wilderness, make your way to our accommodations for the 6 pm pre-departure meeting followed by a group meal. Take this evening to get to know your fellow travelers and guides. (H)

Day 2-4: Seward

Located on the east side of the Kenai Peninsula and Resurrection Bay, Seward is known as the “Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.” Seward is about half day drive from Anchorage. In the afternoon you will have some free time to explore the scenic waterfront of Seward. The following morning we will experience the national park by boat, cruising among the glaciers and wildlife. After hopefully spotting as much wildlife as possible we will be seeing a calving glacier!

A visit to Seward would not be complete without hiking alongside the picturesque Exit Glacier with a probability seeing a few of the local black bear feeding on some berries. The 8.2-mile round trip up to the Harding Icefield is a spectacular day hike. Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to a breath-taking view of the Harding Icefield. The top of the trail is a window to past ice ages – a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can see! If you don’t feel prepared to do the full 8.2-mile roundtrip, there are shorter options with equally breathtaking views available. (C)

Included Activities: Kenai National Park Entrance, Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlife cruise and Calving Glaciers, Hiking Exit Glacier

Optional Activity: Karaoke $ free (well maybe a few drinks first!), Kayaking $300 pp, Fishing $180 pp.

Day 5: Homer

Located on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula and Kachemak Bay, Homer is the launching point for our two-night Adventure Camp. But, don’t overlook this artist inspired town with its many galleries along the spit. You will have some time to explore the picturesque town and it’s fishermen culture. For example, the Salty Dawg Saloon’s lighthouse is a great place to sit belly-up to the bar along with posting your dollar bill on the ceiling or wall so that your friend, who will be by later, will have a drink on you.

On the way to Homer there will be enough time for some scenic photo stops and short walks. Depending on the time of the year we might stop to watch the Salmon Running up Russian River or visit one of the orthodox churches overlooking the volcanoes on the other side of the bay.

Included Activities: Exploring the picturesque town of Homer and its fishermen culture

Optional Activities: “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”, Bear Viewing Katmai or Lake Clark**Following morning** $625 pp

Day 6-7: Adventure Camp

Take a boat ride from Homer to Seldovia, landing on this lovely and relatively untouched beach of the peninsula. Camping is done in canvas tents with beds and all the amenities you’ll need. There is a beautiful main house where meals, comfortable chairs, coffee, and tea are always on tap. From there venture out and comb the beaches for eagles and other aquatic wildlife or walk to

find some hidden coves and viewpoints. The next day you’ll have a half-day of sea kayaking around Jacklof Bay, frequently visited by sea otters and harbor seals and watched overhead by bald and golden eagles. One of the evenings the owner Tony will be serving their famous salmon dinner for us!

Included Activities: Water Taxi from and to Homer (1/2 Hour ride) | 2-night stay at the Adventure Camp | canvas tents with beds | luxurious main house | half-day sea kayaking Seldovia Bay | all meals cooked and served by Adventure Camp

Optional Activity: Anchorage Museum, Heritage Center, Bike Coastal Trail $125 pp 2 hours.

Day 8: Hope, Alaska

In the morning we will take the water taxi back to Homer to make our way along the coastline to Hope. Hope is a quaint little town overlooking Cook Inlet/Turnagain Arm and is just a short drive from Anchorage. In the summer during weekends there might be some life concerts going on in the local fishermen bar. (C-Bushcamp)

Optional Activity: Gold Panning $50 pp.

Day 9: Anchorage

Today it’s only a short drive around the Turnagain Arm back to Anchorage. We will stop at the famous Beluga Point. Potentially you can see Beluga Whales or Dall Sheep. The afternoon you will have time to explore Anchorage downtown. Anchorage is a lively city that houses almost 50% of the state’s 730,000 people. (Commonly it is mistaken for the capital of Alaska, but that would be Juneau.) Throughout the summer there are multiple festivals and plenty of nightly live music. Keep in mind that this city is situated right in the heart of the wilderness, where over 1,000 moose, 250 black bears, and 100 grizzly bears also call it home. (H)

Included Activities: Visit Beluga Point at Turnagain Arm

Optional Activity: Anchorage Museum, Heritage Center, Bike Coastal Trail $125 pp 2 hours.

Day 10-12: Denali National Park

In the morning we head off to the amazing Denali National Park. Whether it’s flora or fauna you came to see, this is the place to fulfill your hopes of seeing large and small wild animals living as they have for ages. We set up our campsite and the following two days you will have the opportunity to take a bus ride through the national park along its only road and hopefully spot bears, moose, caribou, or wolves. For those of you who are looking for a heart-pounding and more strenuous adventure, you’ll have the opportunity for trailblazing throughout the park’s 6 million acres. No trip would be complete without adding the optional activity of flying over Denali National Park and around Mt. Denali (20,320 ft/6194 m.) In the evenings we will sit around the campfire, listening to the sounds of the night and telling our adventures of the day. (C)

Included Activities: 2-Day National Park Entrance and Shuttle Bus services, Hiking in Denali National Park (short, long, off the beaten track, that’s on you to decide!)

Optional Activities: Flights over Mt. Denali $350 pp 1.5 hours.

Day 13-14: Maclaren River Lodge

From Denali, we drive the lightly traveled Denali Highway. First opened in 1957, this dirt road was the first to access Denali National Park (then known as Mt. McKinley National Park.) Located in the Maclaren river valley, you traverse through high alpine country on the state’s second-highest highway pass. Here lies the Maclaren River Lodge run by Alan and Susie, who are fantastic hosts that will take us on a boat ride up to “The Glacier Camp.” Now we’re out in the wilderness on our own, no mobile phone reception and no roads. Here we’ll stay overnight exploring and camping out in the wilderness. The next day we’ll take a casual canoe trip back down the river for our next night at this beautifully situated lodge. (C-Bushcamp)

Included Activities: Boat Ride up to Glacier Camp, guided overnight stay at Glacier Camp sleeping under the stars, canoe trip on Maclaren River

Optional Activity: Hiking

Day 15-17: Wrangell/St Elias National Park

Here we’ll visit the largest National Park in the United States and camp at the “End-of-the-road” campground. Literally at the end of the McCarthy Road, these 60 miles of gravel road were built along the old Copper River and Northwestern railways. Most remnants left of this once-thriving area were a part of the copper mines, but most people forget this was where the last great gold rush happened in Alaska. There are many optional activities like hiking, ice climbing, glacier walks, guided mine tours, rafting, and scenic flights around 16,000-foot peaks, 25-mile long glaciers and massive icefalls. So, days 16 and 17 are left for you to decide what to do: Take the optional historical tour, hike on your own in the beautiful surroundings or try some crazy outdoor stuff like ice climbing, guided glacier hikes, or whitewater rafting. (C-Bushcamp)

Included Activity: Hiking, Scenic Drive

Optional Activities: Ice Climbing $145 pp (full day), Root Glacier Hike $90- $120 pp half/full day, Kennecott History Tour $30 pp, Rafting / flightseeing $325 pp.

Day 18-19: Valdez

Valdez is the terminus of the 800-mile trans-Alaskan pipeline that begins at Prudhoe Bay, Valdez is an important gateway to the interior of Alaska. Valdez was brought to the forefront of national media March 1989. The Exxon Valdez ran aground causing an 11-million gallon oil spill. For many years, flora and fauna were devastated by this environmental catastrophe. Thankfully, order has been restored and the Chugach Mountains set a gorgeous backdrop to this quaint little town. The next day is focused on optional activities. Highly recommended is the Columbia Glacier Sea Kayaking for it’s beautiful scenery, mammoth icebergs and possibility of spotting all kinds of wildlife.

One of the days we will venture out and see if we can find some bears, eagles or sea lions feeding on salmon. Valdez is well known for bears to come to the local salmon fish hatchery and the surrounding creeks. (C)

Included Activities: Hiking and Scenic Drive

Optional Activities: Glacier/Iceberg Sea Kayaking $260 pp, Glacier Wildlife Cruises $135 pp, Bike Rental $125 pp 2 hours, Fishing (depending on season) $180 pp.

Day 20: Anchorage

Unfortunately we have to turn our back on you and leave you to your own devices. But not before we crossed Thompson Pass with stunning views on Worthington Glacier. Our lunch stop will be at Matanuska Glacier before returning to Anchorage in the late afternoon. (approx. 3 pm)